We knew well ahead of COP30 that despite a growing movement to decarbonise buildings, sluggish progress is putting global climate goals at risk. So, as host nation Brazil outlined a bold, implementation-driven focus for the summit, the pressure was on to demonstrate that it is possible to move from commitment to action in our industry.

Where do we stand on climate action in the built environment globally?

There is much more to be done to ensure the built environment plays it’s part in decarbonisation efforts, as highlighted in the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024/25 which was presented at COP30. 

Currently, emissions from the built environment globally are not decreasing. In fact, last year there was an increase of 1% of combined operational and embodied carbon associated with the built environment. 

Operational carbon emissions reached a record new high globally (some 56% higher than where they should be if we were on track to meet net zero targets) and this gap is increasing year on year. To get back on track, operational emissions from buildings must be reduced by more than half by 2030, and we must act on embodied carbon. 

The energy intensity of buildings is moving in the right direction, and the gap is only 13%, despite a stagnation in the past year, but we must reduce the energy intensity of buildings more urgently. The renewable energy share in final energy demand in buildings is increasing slowly, but there is 15.5% gap against target, and this gap is increasing year on year. 

Investment in building energy efficiency, renewables and electrification increased by 5% in 2024 but this is projected to be slower in 2025, so we need an increased focus on sustainable finance mechanisms for building decarbonisation. The technologies are there to deliver, but the policy framework must also be supportive.

Global policy context

These numbers tell us that the sector needs a clear steer from governments around the world. While most country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) include building sector targets, few offer detailed policies, timelines or financial plans for implementation. 

Of 112 NDCs that had been updated by 10 days before COP, around 80% included actions for the buildings and construction sector, but only 26 had extensive details. Around 95 countries have mandatory building codes, but few are aligned to net zero and some do not apply to all categories of buildings.

A call to action for sustainable and affordable housing

A key highlight of the first week of negotiations was the Intergovernmental Council on Buildings and Climate, chaired by France and co-chaired by Brazil and Kenya, which held its first Ministerial Meeting. 

This was a pivotal moment as Ministers and high-level representatives from more than 20 countries discussed global cooperation on buildings and climate, including representatives from Bangladesh, Belize, China, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Oman, Turkey, and United Kingdom.

Among the outcomes was the launch of the Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing, which marked a major effort to help ensure the access of future generations to safe, climate-resilient and affordable housing. The commitment included time-bound targets to 2030 and 2035, integrating climate action into affordable housing policy and ensuring housing meets standards for efficiency, emissions, and resilience. 

As Inger Anderen, UNEP Deputy Director said at the meeting: “The ICBC Belém Call for Action on Sustainable and Affordable Housing rightly affirms a key principle: affordability and sustainability must advance together.”

The Ministers also endorsed other key initiatives to accelerate the decarbonisation of buildings, promoting sustainable public procurement, low-carbon construction materials such as bio-based materials, and circular construction practices.

A Buildings Breakthrough Workshop, Driving Systemic Change for Near-Zero Emission and Resilient Buildings, also marked the launch of the Plan to Accelerate Near-Zero Emission and Resilient Buildings (NZERBs) and brought together governments and industry to advance sector-wide actions and accelerate national implementation. Among the deliverables were a NZERB Interim Report which establishes a shared definition and principles for NZERBs and a Catalogue of Sustainable Solutions for Buildings.

Built by nature

Another high-level session, this time in the Buildings & Cooling Pavillion, showcased the announcement of multi-sectoral endorsement of the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction. Ministerial addresses and endorsements from public and private sector leaders highlighted a global commitment to scaling sustainable timber as a core climate and just transition solution.

Developed over the last two years through an informal dialogue convened by Built by Nature with Bauhaus Earth and the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership, the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction establish a common language and global framework to ensure increased demand for wood is managed responsibly so that benefits for climate, nature, and people can be maximised, while supporting forests, transforming the built environment, and enabling a thriving bioeconomy.

The event also presented the Built by Nature Prize 2025, celebrating pioneering projects that demonstrate how responsible timber construction can deliver climate mitigation, local livelihoods, and innovation across diverse regions and typologies. 

Climate adaptation and resilience

Numerous COP30 side events highlighted the built environment’s role in driving climate action, with the Buildings & Cooling pavilion again providing a key focus. I was struck by the prominence of the climate resilience and adaptation in the programme, as the world faces up to the reality that climate impacts are no longer an issue for tomorrow.

Among the sessions I attended virtually, was an interesting panel focusing on ‘Passive design, construction and cooling for a hotter planet.’ With contributions from Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Niger, and Canada, the session provided a truly international view of how passive cooling can be the first line of defence against heat risk in tropical regions, with mechanical cooling being labelled as insufficient, inequitable and higher emissions. You can also read more on this topic in our recent Construction Management article Why action needs to be passive on cooling buildings.

Enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure was another hot topic. According to the World Bank, for every $1 invested in resilient infrastructure, there is an estimated $4 - $10 return - through reduced disaster losses, healthier communities, and economic growth. 

The important role of nature-based solutions in climate resilience was very prominent this year. One session focused on the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure and reducing climate-related risks. The discussion highlighted perspectives from developing countries on the needs and opportunities for integrating NbS into infrastructure planning, as well as from multilateral development banks on financing challenges and enabling policy environments.

Reports from the ground suggested that Government representatives and policymakers were more engaged in the Buildings Pavillion than ever before. For example, the Italian government and UNEP presented solutions and support mechanisms designed to bridge implementation and investment gaps through the new Nature-based Solutions Infrastructure Accelerator (NBS-IA). Recognising that climate resilience  is going to be a hot topic in 2026, the CIOB is currently working on a Climate Adaptation and Resilience technical information sheet and some related CPD opportunities. 

On a related topic, I was also delighted to hear that Mina Hasman, the Chair of the CIC Climate Change Committee, had the opportunity to present the Climate Literacy Memorandum that professional institutions have been working on jointly at a capacity building event at COP30

Looking ahead to COP31

Turkey has secured the hosting rights for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), set to take place in Antalya. While Turkey will host the event, Australia will lead the negotiations, as part of a compromise between two bidding nations. CIOB hopes to be in attendance, and it remains essential that the built environment is at the centre of discussions.